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Can A Person Have Both Anxiety And Bipolar Disorder?
Question: I have a history of an anxiety disorder and I am currently taking zoloft.. I am on my fifth week as of now. My anxiety seems to come in waves and I often feel really amped-up like I've had too much caffeine. These feelings are soon followed by feelings of fear and unreality. Is this amped up feeling an indication of mania/bipolar disorder? Can a person have both anxiety and bipolar disorder??
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Brief Answer:
Symptoms NOT indicative of Bipolar disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
The symptoms that you have described are not indicative of a Bipolar disorder. The symptoms that you are describing such as waves of anxiety followed by feelings of fear and unreality could be panic attacks, which are part of your anxiety disorder.
So, you don't have to worry about the possibility of having a Bipolar disorder. I would suggest that you continue treatment for anxiety and when you get these anxiety attacks, you can practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, JPMR, yoga, etc.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Symptoms NOT indicative of Bipolar disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
The symptoms that you have described are not indicative of a Bipolar disorder. The symptoms that you are describing such as waves of anxiety followed by feelings of fear and unreality could be panic attacks, which are part of your anxiety disorder.
So, you don't have to worry about the possibility of having a Bipolar disorder. I would suggest that you continue treatment for anxiety and when you get these anxiety attacks, you can practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, JPMR, yoga, etc.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. for your reply. Could you please tell my what JPMR is? Also I have read that when taking Zoloft, it not only takes a while for the med to reach full effect but along the way, symptoms can improve as well as return. In other words, the recovery is not linear but often filled with improvements and set backs. Is this your opinion as well. Thanks in advance!
Brief Answer:
Fluctuations common with any medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
JPMR stands for Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation. It is a systematic relaxation exercise which is quite effective for anxiety relief.
With regards to your other question, there can be such fluctuations with any medication, not necessarily Zoloft. This is more to do with the nature of anxiety disorders, which can have a waxing and waning pattern.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Fluctuations common with any medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
JPMR stands for Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation. It is a systematic relaxation exercise which is quite effective for anxiety relief.
With regards to your other question, there can be such fluctuations with any medication, not necessarily Zoloft. This is more to do with the nature of anxiety disorders, which can have a waxing and waning pattern.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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